Outdoor Kitchen On Deck: 20 Handy Tips You Need to Know
Want to build your outdoor kitchen on a deck? Great! This location is as convenient as it can get, though it has its downsides, too.
A deck with ready flooring, roofing, close proximity to the indoor kitchen, and close access to utilities makes this one of the top outdoor kitchen locations.
There are three outdoor kitchen layouts commonly used on a deck:
- a central island
- along the outer edges of the deck
- against the house
Even though this location is a perfect spot for an outdoor kitchen, it has a few flaws. How much weight can you put on your deck without breaking? What is the perfect cooking or dining design for a small or large deck?
Once you read my top twenty tips, you’ll have all the information needed to start and finish an outdoor kitchen on deck confidently.
Outdoor Kitchen On Deck 101
So you’re the lucky owner of a deck? Awesome! Want to add an outdoor kitchen to this area? Even better.
There are three easy steps to start your project:
- Inspect the deck condition
- Get to know the max load of the deck
- Figure out your utilities connection (gas, water, electricity)
Step One: Inspect the Deck’s Condition
You can’t build an outdoor kitchen on deck until you understand your foundation better – failing this part could lead to expensive damage down the line. There are plenty of deck types such as:
- ground-level
- raised
- elevated
- multi-level
- detached from the house
- swimming pool
- rooftop
- over the garage
Each of the given types can accommodate an outdoor kitchen if it’s in good shape. If you’re sure your deck is in excellent shape, you can skip this step.
Otherwise, it’s crucial to inspect to avoid costly – and potentially dangerous – safety hazards. Additionally, the deck and outdoor kitchen are expensive additions that influence home value.
According to the North American Deck & Railing Association (NADRA), 30 million decks are past their useful life (and need to be replaced or repaired). Attempting to build something heavy on a weak or rotting deck risks a serious mess in the future.
This price includes a structural check, safety check, and code violations check. The result will come with a written report and photos.
A deck should be checked frequently by a homeowner too. NADRA created a deck checklist that includes inspecting:
- split or decaying wood
- flashing
- loose or corroded fasteners
- stairs
- railing and banisters
- lighting
- electrical
- surrounding trees
Step #2: Know Your Deck’s Max Load
Each deck can bear a carefully calculated load. The result of simple mathematical operations can be found in your deck documentation. If for some reason your documentation is missing, there are two ways to go:
- going to Step 1 and asking for professional expertise
- calculating by yourself
There is a rule of thumb saying that a constructed, up-to-code deck should hold up to 50 pounds per 1 sq ft.
10 psf is a dead load and is roughly the weight of the deck itself.
40 psf is a live load, so furniture, people, or planters.
How does it work for your deck? You can calculate on your own or use this table with the most common deck sizes below.
| Deck dimensions | Total Square Feet | Total load (lbs) | Dead load (lbs) | Live load (lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8×8 | 64 | 3200 | 640 | 2560 |
| 8×10 | 80 | 4000 | 800 | 3200 |
| 10×10 | 100 | 5000 | 1000 | 4000 |
| 10×12 | 120 | 6000 | 1200 | 4800 |
| 12×12 | 144 | 7200 | 1440 | 5760 |
| 12×12 | 180 | 9000 | 1800 | 7200 |
| 12×16 | 200 | 10000 | 2000 | 8000 |
| 10×20 | 240 | 12000 | 2400 | 9600 |
| 16×16 | 256 | 12800 | 2560 | 10240 |
| 14×20 | 280 | 14000 | 2800 | 11200 |
| 12×24 | 288 | 14400 | 2880 | 11520 |
| 16×20 | 320 | 16000 | 3200 | 12800 |
A small outdoor kitchen island with grill, burner, refrigerator, sink, and cabinet weighs, on average, less than 1000 lbs. Bigger constructions with more appliances will need to be carefully calculated.
Even if your deck is currently too weak to bear your dream outdoor kitchen load, you can prepare it for its new role by reinforcing the structure. It’s good to know these details before committing to construction, as the process requires additional budget and time.
An outdoor kitchen’s weight can also be reduced by using specific materials (aluminum or stucco) or size reduction.
A movable outdoor kitchen can be a practical option for decks – you can even store it in the garage during winter months. This is not only safer for your deck construction, you’ll increase your outdoor kitchen longevity.
Step #3: Find Your Utility Connection
A deck is a special spot that often enables building an outdoor kitchen on a budget. There are plenty of reasons for that, spanning from your roof to the deck’s location.
First of all, the roofing and flooring are often ready to use. This means saving thousands of dollars right off the bat.
The second detail is the proximity of an indoor kitchen, allowing an outdoor kitchen design with a sink, a fridge, and a burner. Even more money stays in your wallet since you don’t have to spend on extra appliances.
The third detail is utilities are very often already there, and the whole building process requires only a connection. Speaking money: spending on adding utility lines is both expensive and painful (as your money is located where you cannot see them). The closer the utility is located to the spot, the less money it costs to add a line.
Additionally, a deck usually already looks coherent with your house exterior and is well illuminated. Style-wise, you save yourself some design work.
There are three utilities for an outdoor kitchen:
- plumbing
- electrical
- gas
Plumbing is needed for an outdoor sink. If you don’t have a plumbing connection on your deck and don’t want to run one, there are plenty of options for an outdoor kitchen sink you can choose from.
The gas line is something you can use for a grill. It adds to the convenience since you don’t have to change tanks when propane is gone. If you don’t want to run a gas line but want to use a gas grill, a propane grill is the way to go.
Lastly, electrical is needed for appliances, lighting, fans, and heating. Before you decide how many circles or power you need, it’s worth finishing the design first.
The utility connection already be accessible in some deck areas, so it’s worth incorporating this knowledge into the design process. If you already have a utility connection in a specific part of a deck, use it and save time.
To get to know how it works in your area, ask HOA or your local building department. It’s worth dedicating around $500 from your budget to permits during planning, even though they can cost less in your area. Better safe than sorry.
How Should You Design an Outdoor Kitchen On Deck?
A well-done design is like a glove that fits your hand – you know it’s there, but you don’t focus on it at all. To get to this state, you need to research both the spot and your family’s needs.
The goal of this process is to figure out:
- what appliances you need (size and level)
- what permits are needed
- if dining/ bar space is needed/ possible
- lighting design
- covering
I created a list of questions that help a lot with narrowing down the most suitable outdoor kitchen on deck:
- How often will you use your outdoor kitchen (daily, on weekends, rarely)?
- How advanced are you with cooking outside (starter, advanced)?
- Is your indoor kitchen a close distance to your deck?
- How many people are you going to serve (solo, couple, family)?
- Are you going to dine outside as well?
- Do you want an outdoor bar?
- Are you going to cook after sunset?
- What is the size of your deck?
If you’re considering selling the house at some point, it’s worth considering what buyers want to see in the area. Patio additions run an average ROI of 30% to 60%, which is nothing to sneeze at!
The Best Layout and Size for an Outdoor Kitchen On Deck
The deck is a closed-off area, so figuring out your outdoor kitchen size should be one of the easiest parts. There are three common set-ups:
- a central island
- along the outer edges of the deck
- against the house
For decks located next to the house, a central island may be an excellent choice, as it can be accessed from multiple sides. Unfortunately, it also takes up a lot of room. An outdoor kitchen on deck is like Tetris – you need to take into account every bit of space for success!
An outdoor kitchen along the outer edges of the deck works well, both for detached and attached decks. For this design, it’s essential to place a grill, and other smoking appliances, downwind – this avoids exposing family and guests to smoke during gatherings.
An outdoor kitchen against the house is often the easiest to construct, as the utility connection is in the exterior wall. This design usually eats up the least space and doesn’t block the view.
The downside is that it often requires a vent hood installation and can limit natural light indoors.
The size of an outdoor kitchen on deck depends not only on deck dimensions, but also on the number of appliances. There are three sizes of an outdoor kitchen: small, medium, and large.
A small outdoor kitchen is about 10′ in length and can accommodate a grill, burner, sink, and storage.
If an outdoor refrigerator is a must for you, a small outdoor kitchen should be upgraded to a medium, which is a 16′ outdoor kitchen. This is enough space to have a grill, burner, sink, storage, and a refrigerator.
Large outdoor kitchens are 20′ plus and are best for multiple cooks. This size can accommodate just about anything a homeowner dreams about.
Appliances for Your Outdoor Kitchen On Deck
An outdoor kitchen on deck can accommodate several appliances with room to spare. The first one homeowners usually choose is the grill since many furnishings, like counters and cabinets, easily accommodate it.
You can consider other cooking appliances for your outdoor kitchen on deck such as:
- side burners
- power burners
- griddles
- smokers
- pizza ovens
- bar stations
- fridges
- washers
- entertainment units
How to Choose the Perfect grill for Your Outdoor Kitchen On Deck
The grill is the king of the area, so choose wisely. The first thing to consider is type – the basic choice is between gas and charcoal.
There are fans of both solutions. Some people say charcoal adds a flavor no gas grill can possibly add. Others stress that gas grills seem to be a healthier option for both your health and the environment.
Since an outdoor kitchen on deck is located very close to the house, it’s crucial to choose a grill that won’t be an inconvenience.
Keeping a grill a decent distance from the house is a good idea, too, unless you install a vent hood above it.
For charcoal grills, I enjoy Kamado (unless your heart is already set on a certain type).
If a gas grill is your choice, it’s worth figuring which type of fuel it should have. Decks are usually next to the house, so adding a line to a grill is usually an option you can take, even though it requires a permit and additional budget.
If you don’t want to spend extra money on construction, going with a propane gas grill will work just fine for your outdoor kitchen on deck.
Gas and charcoal are not the only grill types, though. If you’re looking for a low-key solution, an electric grill can be a way to go.
For environmentally concerned users, a pellet grill might be an option, as it is quick to heat and is fueled by a renewable source of energy.
The second thing to choose regarding a grill is its size. It’s not worth buying the biggest grill in the store for a four-member family. If you’re a weekend griller who cooks mostly hamburgers and hot dogs, a 360 sq in grill is going to be enough for you.
For a slightly bigger family (or future chef ambitions), a 400 – 500 sq in grill should work great. For the ultimate partiers and entertainers, 550 – 600 sq in grill is a better size.
Regarding gas grills, the best size levels for your outdoor kitchen on deck depend on the number of burners. Two burners will suit a small family, while three or four is a happy medium. Five to six burners is an ideal size for entertainers or very large families.
To give you an idea of how big a medium grill is (which is three to four burners), you can usually make twenty burgers at the same time on it.
A deck is a place where fire safety is a big issue. A deck is most often constructed out of combustible materials like wood, so it has to be protected.
Other Cooking Appliances For Your Outdoor Kitchen On Deck
Basically, anything you put in any other outdoor kitchen can function on your deck.
Cooking appliances that can be used for your outdoor kitchen on deck are:
- grill
- griddle
- side burner
- power burner
- smoker
- pizza oven
- refrigerator
- wine fridge
- kegerator
- dishwasher
- bar station
As mentioned before, the proximity of an indoor kitchen gives you the option of installing fewer appliances outside. It makes an outdoor kitchen area a bit less convenient, but your pocket very happy.
If you’re able to add a sink to your design/ budget, go for it – it makes cooking much easier. A sink is also one of the essentials home buyers usually look for (alongside a grill, refrigerator, storage, and countertop space).
If you don’t want to spend a fortune on it, there are ways to make it simpler and less expensive.
While planning outdoor kitchen appliances for an outdoor kitchen on deck near the house; it’s worth taking into consideration:
- smoke
- space
- weight
Smoke is a major issue in the area. If not managed properly, it not only affects your family and guests, but can get into the house. I would personally avoid appliances that produce a lot of smoke unless you’re sure you know how to control it.
If your outdoor kitchen on deck is located against the wall, installing a vent hood is a must.
As your decks’ space is limited, it’s important to design the whole outdoor kitchen on deck, not just one part of it. The general design should include an outdoor kitchen and a bar/ dining area, other additions (like fire pits), walkable paths, and bright lighting.
If appliances like outdoor pizza ovens take too much space, it’s worth reconsidering the investment. Usually, drawing everything out on paper shows you how much space you have.
And while we’re on the subject of a pizza oven – a deck is a space that can bear a lot of weight, but not just any. Pizza oven weights vary a lot – from 600 lbs up to 4000 lbs! If you dream of having Friday pizza nights, keep an oven in your design, but pick one with proper weight and size.
The Permits Needed For an Outdoor Kitchen On Deck
Specific requirements depend on your City Local Building Inspections and HOA. They vary a lot depending on your location – basically, a permit is needed for zoning requirements and utility work.
Zoning requirements are all about the distance of construction from property lines. Utility work basically adds gas, plumbing, or electrical lines.
More permits may be needed in your area, so it’s always worth asking your local department. For example, in multiple areas, adding just a few extra feet of the deck requires an additional permit.
All in all, it won’t cost that much. You can reserve for up to $500 of your budget, but it’ll likely take way less.
It all seems like a big pain, right? I have to admit – this is quite a bit of work to do. But building up to code is important for plenty of reasons.
First of all, if you don’t follow the instructions and somebody reports your outdoor kitchen on deck, you may get a demolition order.
Second of all, if you’re going to sell your property, the mess will have to get fixed one day. As you probably already guessed, it’s going to be way more expensive in the future than if you did the work up front.
How to Fit a Dining and Bar Space on an Outdoor Kitchen On Deck
Yes, you can! But pick a solution that’s going to be convenient to use and clean – if everything’s too cramped, you’ll just redesign it later.
You can calculate this before buying any furniture type – this step mostly depends on math.
Let’s start with the dining space and the table everyone’s going to eat on. Measure the part of your deck that’s going to be working solely as the dining space. It has to be a clear area, so no doors, no paths, and within distance of cooking appliances.
To figure the table’s max size, subtract 72 inches from your measurements, as the general rule says a table needs 36″ of free space from every side. This is the space for chairs and paths.
Now you know your maximum width and length for a table!
If this is a little complicated, I have a useful chart below:
| Space size | Table shape | Table size | Number of chairs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5′ x 9′ | square/ round | 36″ | 2 |
| 9′ x 9′ | square | 40″ | 4 |
| 9,5′ x 9,5′ | round | 42″ | 4 |
| 9,5′ x 11′ | oval | 42″x60″ | 6 |
| 10′ x 10′ | round | 48″ | 6 |
| 11′ x 11′ | square/ round | 60″ | 8 |
| 9,5′ x 14,5′ | rectangular | 42″x100″ | 10 |
While choosing chairs for your outdoor kitchen on deck, it’s important to set a goal for yourself, too. If the area isn’t too big, using furniture with visible legs will visually enlarge the space. This will only work on a smooth deck – nothing bumpy!
There are three table heights to choose from. Traditional ones are 30″ to 36″ for a bar counter height, so expect around 42″. Higher solutions are excellent if you want to show your guests a pretty view during gatherings.
While we’re at the bar, let’s dive a bit more into this area. The bar is usually 42″ high and at least 24″ wide. Your outdoor kitchen on deck should have room to sit, drink, or leave comfortably.
This size is perfect for a 30-inch bar stool and standing users. Remember to leave a free space of 36″ on both sides. The space required for each stool is around 2′.
How to Design Lighting for an Outdoor Kitchen On Deck
Believe it or not – an outdoor kitchen can be completely transformed with beautiful lighting design. It doesn’t matter if the space is small or grand – after the sunset, you can change the way visitors look at your home.
First of all, remember that style is important. Not every fixture has to be rustic/modern/traditional, but they have to be used wisely. If you’re wondering how to complement your outdoor kitchen style with different types of light, go ahead and check out my lighting design tips.
The first thing to figure is when you’re going to use your outdoor kitchen on deck. If the answer is after sunset, you need to take into account safety. Look around the area and check if your steps are illuminated or if there’s enough light to see the outdoor kitchen’s path to your back doors.
If not, that area is the first to fix. All of this can be done with accent lights.
The second detail to figure out is whether or not you need ambient light. This is a type of lighting that illuminates the whole area. There are plenty of fixtures to choose from, from a dangling chandelier to recessed lights.
The last thing to do is incorporating task lights. It is especially necessary everywhere where cooking takes place. Grill lamps and above countertop lights are probably going to create enough light.
How to Cover an Outdoor Kitchen On Deck
As I mentioned before, there are plenty of different types of decks. You may need to cover them during sunny, windy, or rainy days.
There are basically three types of coverage for an outdoor kitchen:
- pergola
- gazebo
- roofing
Basically, if your concern is mainly the sun, a pergola is going to be an awesome choice for your outdoor kitchen on deck. A little sunlight will get through, but not enough to overheat you.
Gazebos and roofing over patio are pricier solutions that protect you from several elements like direct sunlight, rain, and snow.
Ready to Build an Outdoor Kitchen On Deck?
I hope you now have enough data to start designing your outdoor kitchen on a deck. Did you use any of the tips?
If you need even more inspiration for crafting a comfortable and functional set-up, check out the following posts:
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Thanks for the reminder that having better lighting is also essential when planning to get an outdoor kitchen setup. I’m interested in looking for a landscaping contractor to help with the layout of my new outdoor kitchen. I think an outdoor kitchen will be a lot safer to sue when cooking with open flames.